Comparison Of Maximum Size Of Fish Caught With Recreational Angling And Standard Fish- Collection Gears
Kevin L. Pope, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Institute, Mailstop 2125, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409; 806-742-6888 ext. 244; FAX 806-742-2280; kevin.pope@ttu.edu
Gene R. Wilde, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Institute, Mailstop 2125, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
Daryl Bauer, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE 68503
We correlated maximum lengths of freshwater fishes captured with angling and standard fish-collection gears from Nebraska water bodies. Significant correlation was found in only 1 of 9 sport fishes assessed. In 480 out of 506 reservoir-species combinations, maximum length of fish caught with angling was greater than maximum length of fish caught with standard fish-collection gears. Angler-data programs likely provide greater information about large fish and trophy-fish populations than standard fishery-monitoring programs.